DRAGONBORN SORCERER-Chapter 51: The Orion Labyrinth

Under the bright sun, Skyler stood, wearing his new uniform— shimmering in blue and white. It was slightly odd for him to wear that. He was quite older than the rest of the students shrouding him while praising his looks.

Yet, he completly befitted with them, appearing himself just another ordinary student of the academy.

Maya, Charlotte, Emily, Ethan, Julian and Leon were admiring him just how cool he looked in those attire. Only Frey kept her usual distance from the rest of the class.

Professor Misha took her entry, alerting the students to keep their manners. And they did.

They all stood in two lines— four in each, as they looked attentive.

"Good morning, Professor!" they greeted in unison.

"Good morning!" She replied, her mood being little softer than normal, "Today I’m going to give a new assignment." She smiled.

"What?" Leon exasperated with a sigh, "Another boring assignment? Give us something new or anything else."

"Leon! Don’t be so whiny-baby. That same goes for everyone else too." She gazed at the others who felt the same as Leon. Only Frey remained unfazed while Skyler looked bewildered.

Everything was a new experience to him. He might need some time to fully adapt to the situation. He, however didn’t gave it much effort. He was only a student until he’d claim the seat for light sorcerer. And then, he’d leave this country before anyone would noticed.

"This time it’s different." Said Misha with a grin, "You guys always wanted something dangerous, didn’t you? Behold, I’ve prepared just the task for you."

The annoyance which seemed to engulf their excitement, now turned into curiosity. Their eyes shined as to know what kind of assignment it’d be.

"You have got exactly ten hours to bring me the ’Fang of Dark Leopard’ from the Orion Labyrinth."

"For real!" They screamed in exhilaration.

**********

Apparently there were several labyrinth built over the nation of El Niora. Since it was filled with mana, it drew the unwanted attention from the magical beasts and monsters. For regulating their activities, the previous sovereigns built those labyrinth.

Such among those labyrinth, Orion Labyrinth was considered yo be the least dangerous, and only the student from the honoured ones or above were allowed to enter. But they must meet the requirements before entering.

Skyler’s presence filled the lack of requirements and now they were able to enter for various quests and activities. It was really a news of joy to them.

"Hold on!" Professor Misha yelled, "You are to withdraw from this assignment if the situation goes out of your hands. Keep that in mind, okay?"

"Roger! Professor." They acted like obedient military soldiers as they were about to set out for a new mission.

************

The group of students headed towards the school building— to where the teleportation chambers were. It’d easily teleport them near the gates.

While they were on their way, Leon explained every details to Skyler so that he didn’t need to worry about the labyrinths. Skyler seemed to understand what he was informed.

’Nice!’ Skyler chuckled internally, ’If we’re going to fight against some monsters, I can level up before entering the tournament.’ A sly grin lurking on his lips.

Soon they reached the teleportation room which was well guarded. After conforming their assignment, the guards let the get though. This time Frey was with them.

The eight of them stood on a magic circle. It surged with the mana of those who were incharge of the room. As it shined brightly, they all teleported.

The arrived just outside the labyrinth gate. It was also guarded with several mages.

’Why’s every place of this country so heavily guarded?’ Skyler wondered, though he didn’t ask that. Letting the matter slide for now, he entered into the labyrinth with others. Each one of them looked excited and awfully confident. Only Frey was the exceptional.

Rather than seeming curious or anything, she looked determinant as flame blazed in her eyes.

The ’thud-thud’ sound of their footsteps echoed as they walked on the stairs to first floor of the labyrinth. It was dark, and humidity seemed to be higher than outside. That goes same for the mana density. There was a vast difference in mana density between the inside and outside of the labyrinth, yet it didn’t seem to affect any of them.

"We’re trained harder to tolerate this." Maya said proudly, "A mage who can’t withstand higher mana density, is a joke. After all, mana is mage’s biggest weapon regardless of their stages."

"Precisely!" Emily chuckled, agreeing to Maya, "The first lesson one receives from the academy is to withstand high density mana. We’re used to it."

"I see." Skyler replied, "You guys are more remarkable than I thought."

"Is that a complement?" Julian wondered, "By the way, how are you capable of withstanding this much pressure?"

"I’m curious too." Said Ethan, "Did you train for it?"

"Let’s see." Skyler spoke, "To be honest, I never get affected by mana density— no matter how high it is. Even back when I stood against the demons, I felt his menacing mana. But I was unaffected that time too."

"So you fought alongside the queen!" Charlotte said enthusiastically, "You must be very powerful in handling mana."

"Now that Charlotte mentioned it, you were unaffected by the Mana Prevention Crystals too."

"Indeed."

"Mm-hmm"

"Like I said, I somehow acquired resistance to it, nothing more." He embarrassedly patted his head.

"Guys!" Frey spoke, alerting the others as she used her light to lead the way, "Something’s coming this way."

Everyone stayed on guard, Skyler too. Before him, appeared his system interface, conveying a message.

[Alert: Group of Goblins approaching]

[Number: Unknown]

The green skins emerged into the light from the darkness of the first floor. Their crimson eyes shined in Frey’s light, their tongue licking their lips. They smiled vulgarly.

"Ki-hi-hi-hi-hi-hi..." the laugh echoed.

"Step aside, Frey." Maya said confidently, "I’m taking care of the goblins."

She walked slowly and passionately, carrying a hint of superiority. Her hands sparkled in thunder. The Goblins reacted to their approaching prey. They rushed. But.....

"Termination Overload!" She screamed, surging immense thunder energy through the entire area.

The thunder ran through the goblins, delivering high voltage energy eruption. Their green skins turned brown— as though roasted with intense heat.

Within a second, the group fell down. They became lifeless before doing any harm on them.

"Hmm-Umm!" Maya chuckled with pride, "How was that team?"

"Remarkable!"

"Stunning!"

"Amazing!"

"Surprising!"

The praises kept coming from her friends. Frey remained silent as usual while Skyler thought, ’That’s a Stge-7 mage for you. No wonder her attack was that powerful.’

"If you’re done with it, let’s get going." Frey stated, walking without them, "Unless you want to stay behind."

"Stop it, will you." Others followed.

******

The second floor almost ended with same incident. Though this time, the group of slimes were decimated by Ethan.

He froze and then shattered them into pieces. He received the same praise and same blunt answer from Frey. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The third floor— the floor of bugs, where annihilated by Julian’s flames.

On the fourth floor, Leon’s earth element magic pierced through several pack of wolves.

The fifth floor— the floor of undeads were burned by Frey’s intense light energy. And the sixth floor’s high orcs were decimated by Emily’s and Charlotte’s merged technique of fire and water.

They kept clearing one floor after another as if it wasn’t a big deal for them. They were strong— that was what Skyler admitted, and kept observing them without using his own abilities.

In couple of hours they reached the Tenth Floor— the boss’s room where the dark leopard hid.

As they entered, they felt an immense pressure unleashed by the leopard, five times bigger than them and with four long fangs— almost similar to swords. His entire skin was black, unleashing grey aura, and had two heads.

Yet, the students were unfazed. They knew, compared to their strengths together, the Dark Leopard wasn’t really considered a threat. But...

But before they could do anything, the leopard was pushed back and slammed against the wall behind. Its head, blood, flesh, bone— literally everything shattered in a blink of an eye.

They couldn’t believe what just happened, unless they saw Skyler standing in the place where a moment ago the leopard stood, his right fist enveloped with thunder.

[Congratulations! You’ve defeated the Dark Leopard]

[Notice: Thunder Enhancement used]

[MP consumption: 20/s]

Skyler, with his high agility and strength, put the leopard into eternal sleep. And it took nothing more than a solid punch from him.

He turned back, hoping to see the astonished faces of the others. However, they were annoyed more than getting surprised and kept staring at Skyler annoyingly.

"What?" Skyler exasperated, "Are you not happy to see my performance? Why the long faces?"

"Because, you ruined all the funs." Maya said, clinching against her teeth, "The assignment is now over. And the fun is gone. Thanks Skyler!!"

But their face reacted the opposite.

"What seems to be the problem huh?" she yelled like a child, "Until now you guys were doing the same. And when I did, it ruined you fun?"

"Yeah, whatever." They sighed, and went to collect the fangs which was their final task.

Skyler stood— annoyed by their ignorance.

When they were almost prepared to leave the floor, a strange thing occurred. Unknown to them, an alarm trigger and the entire floor shattered. There was no ground left to stand on.

As consequences, they fell into the depth of the labyrinth— into the darkness of the down floors. Even Skyler too. He didn’t have time to do anything before falling with them.

"AHHHHH!" only a unison scream echoed through the entire labyrinth.